The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.
(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

The South has its own particular breed of spring. In the months before summer, one can feel the swampy threat of rain everywhere. These are the days when I love to sit on my balcony and wait for storms to roll in. Large billowy clouds carry round, wet raindrops. The rising heat from the asphalt crashes into the cool cleanse of a spring deluge. My favorite part is that just as quickly as a storm blows through town, it escapes without remark.

The following songs are a collection of tunes to enjoy during a pre-summer storm. Feel free to copy, link to and share this mix with anyone who might benefit from some new music this spring.

Green Grass of Tunnel – Múm
Green Gloves – The National
Ooh Oh – Keri Noble
This Is the Thing – Fink
Orange Sky – Alexi Murdoch
Tiger, My Friend – PSAPP
City Flower – Jeffrey Foucault
Skinny Love – Bon Iver
My Two Cents – Shane Piasecki
Careful – Guster
Creep – Ingrid Michaelson
Je veux te voi – Yelle
A-Punk – Vampire Weekend

all links will take you to iTunes

image credit: 1happysnapper iTunes album mosaic

If you want to make your dreams come true,
the first thing you have to do is wake up.
(J. M. Power)

My mornings have taken many forms in past years. I’ve tried waking up super early—and rising with just enough time to get out the door. I’ve tested a variety of breakfast foods, and have yet to settle on something that tastes good & leaves me satisfied. I gave up coffee for 2 months, wrote volumes of morning pages and practiced yoga before showering.

All these attempts have been in an effort to find my ideal morning—a series of effortless transitions from sleepy a.m. tasks like waking up and brushing my teeth, to getting out the door looking gorgeous & ready to take on the world.

No matter how my morning goes, I always get in my car and drive to work. This playlist is for the that time I can always count on—the space between my front door and my desk chair. A consistent opportunity to get pumped up and ready to rock my day.

The sweet, adorable and always kind Chelsa Bea from Pencil Skirts & Pearls mailed me thoughtful note & mix CD in honor of my first day of work. Feel free to copy, link to and share this mix with anyone who needs good mojo for their morning commute.

All Love – Ingrid Michaelson
What I Wouldn’t Do – A Fine Frenzy
Like a Prayer – Madonna (Hope for Haiti Now)
Down the Line – Jose Gonzalez
Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
Hey, Soul Sister - Train
Us – Regina Spektor
This Sweet Love – James Yuill
Heads Will Roll – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
1901 – Phoenix
Hot Mess – Cobra Starship
Imma Be – Black Eyed Peas
The Best of You And Me – Number One Gun
House By the Sea – Iron and Wine
You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
Free Fallin’ (Live) – John Mayer

all links will take you to iTunes

photo credit: via weheartit, iTunes album mosaic

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.
(Thoreau)

Whew! I can’t believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone.

For those of you who are wondering, I surprised myself by having an evenly paced day with very little rushing or panic—a small, but significant, victory.

My mister and I enjoyed all the yummy home-cooked goodness of old family recipes. The highlight of my day (other than the food) was finding the time to go for a run and practice some yoga.

I hope you celebrated with loved ones, enjoyed delicious food and found time to take care of yourself over this holiday weekend.

After washing my dishes and filling tupperwares full of leftovers, I wasted no time getting into the holiday spirit. The last few days I’ve checked nearly everyone off my Christmas list and decorated my apartment with small seasonal tidings. My goal is to have all my presents under the tree or in the mail by December 14.

Here’s a mix of holiday tunes I plan on listening to while wrapping gifts over the next few weeks…

Christmas Song – Dave Matthews Band
‘Zat You, Santa Claus? – Louis Armstrong
Red(emption) Song – John Legend
Jingle Bells – Frank Sinatra
Silent Night – Bing Crosby
White Christmas – Bing Crosby
All You Need Is Love – Playing For Change
Little Drummer Boy – Tori Amos
Joy To the World – Jewel
Jingle Bells – James Taylor
Merry Christmas Baby – B.B. King
Christmas Tree – Bryan Adams
I Believe In Father Christmas – U2
Silent Night – The Thorns
Someday At Christmas – Remy Zero
The Christmas Song – Marvin Gaye

photo credit: via nothing is impossible

We’re fools whether we dance or not,
so we might as well dance.
(Japanese Proverb)

Lately I have been enjoying singing in my car and watching So You Think You Can Dance every week. There are small, simple things we can do to bring more joy into our lives. I hope the following playlist gives you the inspiration to sing, dance and laugh (even if it’s at yourself)!

Single Ladies – Pomplamoose
Piano Song – Meiko
Hometown Glory – Adele
Somebody Fix Me – Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Koop Island Blues – Koop
Killing for Love – Jose Gonzalez
Gospel – The National
Breathe Me – Sia
Love Ridden – Fiona Apple
La Vie En Rose – Madeleine Peyroux
Where Do You Go to My Lovely – Peter Sarstedt
Road – Nick Drake
Wise Up – Aimee Mann
Love Love Love – The Mountain Goats
Unplayed Piano – Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan
Four Leaf Clover – Badly Drawn Boy
Catarina – Joe Purdy

photo credit: Barbara L. Hanson via flickr